Income Tax Breaking: Link Your PAN with Aadhaar to Continue Filing ITR in 2026
If you are someone who still has not linked their Aadhaar Card and PAN Card, here is an important update for you. Your PAN card will become inoperative from January 1, 2026, if you fail to link it with your Aadhaar Card. This means you only have time until December 31, 2025, to do the same. Failing to comply with this deadline can attract many problems. Let us understand how you can link your Aadhaar and PAN online, simply sitting at home.
How to Link Aadhaar and PAN
- Step 1: Go to the income tax department’s e-filing portal.
- Step 2: Click on the Link Aadhaar Option.
- Step 3: Submit your PAN, Aadhaar and Mobile Number.
- Step 4: You will receive an OTP on your number for verification.
- Step 5: In case your PAN is inactive, you will be required to pay Rs 1,000.
- Step 6: Under the ‘Quick Links’ section, click on ‘Link Aadhaar Status’ and check the status.
Your PAN will usually be reactivated within 30 days of linking it with Aadhaar.
Why Does it Matter?
Linking your Aadhaar with your PAN has now become a compulsory step set by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to ensure transparency and responsibility in tax compliance. Without completing this linkage, you will not be able to file your Income Tax Return. Individuals whose PAN was issued on or before October 1, 2025, must complete the Aadhaar-PAN linking process by December 31, 2025. Also, if you have obtained your PAN using an Aadhaar enrolment ID, then you need to re-link it.
What if You Fail to Link Your PAN with Aadhaar?
If you do not link your PAN with Aadhaar by December 31, 2025, you will face several issues. Your income return will not be filed or verified. Your TDS/TCS credit will not be shown in Form 26AS and and deductions or collections may happen at a higher rate. Additionally, if you are entitled to receive a refund, the same will be put on hold, and any pending ITRs will remain unprocessed.
